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PHiLADELPHIA 


PREPARED  BY  THE  fASTQi^. 


RV.  IRWIN  P.  McCURDY. 


^^^sisy»^-i^mm\x^''^'^ 


^  PRINCETON,  N.  J.  ''^ 


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Presented    by  V^X-'(£/<5\C\(£,\^V~^v2a\"Vo 


x^  . 


BX  9211 
Southwe 

Church 
Manua 

Presbyterian  Church 


.P49142  S68  1885 
stern  Presbyterian 

(Philadelphia,  Pa. ) 
of  the  Southwestern 


J/Turti\J  (P.  Tn/^^i/rdt)  _ 


Pastor  of  the  Southwestern  Presbyterian  Church.  Philadelphia 


MANUAL 


OF    THE 


Southwestern 

Presbyterian  Church 

/ 

PHILADELPHIA 


Situated  at.  N.  E.  Cor.  Twentieth  and  Fitzwater  Sts. 

Six  Squares  West  of  Broad  Street  and  Six  Squares  South  of  Cliestnut  Street. 


PREPARED  BY  THE  PASTOR, 

REV.  IRWIN  P.  McCURDY. 


April,  1885. 


PHILADELPHIA. 
AMERICAN  PRINTING  HOUSE, 

EIGHTH  AND  JAYNE  STREETS. 
1885. 


Gontentj 


Page 

Explanatory,          -           -           -       «  -           -           -           -  5 

The  Pastor's  Suggestions,      -           -           -           -           -  7 

Historical  Record,  -  -  -  -  -  -14 

Present  Appointments,           -           -           -           -           -  16 

Present  Organization,      ......  18 

Church  Officers,                -           -           -           -           -  18 

The  Sabbath  School,                ....            -  19 

Other  Organizations,        ...            -            -  20 

Roll  of  Communicants,     ------  22 

Summary  of  Membership,        -----  30 

The  Financial  System,     -  -  -  -  -  -31 

Pew  Rents,            ......  31 

Weekly  Free-will  Offerings,               -            -            -            -  32 

Other  Contributions,        -----  33 

Benevolent  Agencies,       ------  34 

Presbyterian  Polity,              ....           -  36 

The  Church,                .---.-  36 

The  Presbyterian  Church,            .           .           .           .  36 

Summary  of  Presbyterian  Doctrine,              -            -            -  39 

Annual  Report  to  Presbytery  (April  6,  1885),      -           -  41 


Explanalorij. 


This  Manual  has  been  prepared  for  the  use  and  information  of  the 
members  of  this  Church  and  Congregation,  in  accordance  with  the 
official  action  of  the  Session.  It  is  the  first  of  a  series,  which  it  is  pro- 
posed to  issue  at  intervals.  While  great  care  has  been  taken  to  secure 
accuracy,  it  is  felt  that  errors  will,  almost  necessarily,  be  discovered ; 
and  that  a  subsequent  issue  may  be  more  perfect,  it  is  requested  that 
any  one  detecting  mistakes  will  bring  it  to  the  attention  of  the  Pastor. 

All  persons  connected  with  our  Church  are  earnestly  invited  to  read 
carefully  the  contents  of  this  Manual.  It  is  hoped  that  it  will  make  us 
all  more  intelligent  concerning  our  Church,  its  work,  and  its  needs;  that 
it  will  help  to  stimulate  us  to  greater  exertion  in  Christian  work  in  our 
Church ;  that  every  one  of  us  may  be  impressed  with  the  thought  that 
there  is  a  place  of  usefulness  which  he  can  fill,  and  that  each  one  will 
diligently  strive  to  bear  his  full  share  of  all  the  burdens  and  responsi- 
biUties  of  our  Church— and  thus  make  our  future  bright  with  God-given 
success.  If  it  does  this  it  will  be  considered  worth  all  the  thought,  time, 
labor,  and  money  that  have  been  expended  upon  it. 

All  persons  into  whose  hands  this  Manual  may  fall,  who  have  no 
regular  place  of  worship,  are  requested  to  study  our  Church  as  it 
appears  upon  these  pages,  and  consider  the  "  Invitation  to  Strangers," 
which  is  No.  15  of  the  Pastor's  Suggestions  (page  12). 

Copies  of  this  Manual  may  be  had,  without  charge,  on  application  to 
the  Pastor  or  Elders.  The  cost  of  its  publication  has  been  provided  for 
through  the  kindness  of  a  friend  of  the  Church. 

I.   P.   M. 

723  S.  20th  St.,  Philadelphia,  April  p,  1885. 


^he  pallor  I  Sugge§tion|. 


I.  Pastoral  Services.— The  Pastor  is  at  your  service  always,  for  all 
the  purposes  of  the  Pastorate.  While  his  chief  work  is  to  preach  and 
teach  the  Gospel,  he  is  always  glad  to  welcome  to  his  home,  at  any 
time,  any  persons  who  desire  to  talk  with  him  about  the  great  concerns 
of  the  immortal  soul,  or  who  call  to  consult  with  him  about  the  affairs 
of  the  Church,  or  anything  else  that  pertains  to  the  progress  of  Christ's 
Kingdom. 

II.  Visiting.— It  is  the  Pastor's  purpose  to  visit  at  their  homes,  each 
family  of  the  Church  and  every  member  of  the  Congregation  and  Sab- 
bath School,  just  as  often  as  he  can  consistently  with  his  other  duties. 
No  rule  can  be  established  in  a  Church  with  a  large  membership  except 
to  be  always  ready  to  visit  any  family  or  individual  when  necessary. 
The  Pastor  expects  that  all  cases  of  sickness  and  sorrow  and  special 
religious  needs  will  be  at  once  reported  to  him,  and  he  will  regard  it  a 
sacred  privilege  to  answer  any  and  every  such  call  that  may  be  made 
upon  his  time  and  care.  Never  take  it  for  granted  that  the  Pastor  is 
acquainted  with  your  special  needs.  When  a  visit  for  any  reason  is 
desired,  and  especially  if  you  think  he  can  be  helpful  to  you  under  any 
special  circumstances,  the  Pastor  will  regard  it  as  a  favor  if  you  notify 
him  of  the  fact.  When  this  is  done,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  all  proper 
allowance  will  be  made  for  seeming  neglect  in  pastoral  visitation. 

III.  Sickness.— The  Pastor  is  always  ready  and  wilhng  to  visit  the  sick, 
and  will  gladly  put  himself  to  any  inconvenience  to  serve  them.  As  he 
cannot  always  know  who  are  sick  or  when  his  presence  would  be  desir- 
able,  he  most  earnestly  requests  that,  whenever  the  circumstances  of  any 


MANUAL  OF   THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,   PHILA. 


person  or  any  family  connected  with  the  congregation  are  such  as  call  for 
special  attention,  he  may  be  immediately  informed  of  the  fact.  It  often 
happens  when  people  are  sick,  that  they  are  so  sick  as  to  be  unable  to 
see  even  the  Pastor;  and  sometimes  there  is  such  a  state  of  confusion 
in  the  affairs  of  the  family  that  it  is  very  inconvenient  for  them  to  have 
the  Pastor  call.  In  view  of  these  things,  the  Pastor  ought  not  to  be 
expected  to  call,  where  there  is  sickness  or  trouble,  unless  he  is  asked  to 
do  so,  even  if  he  knows  that  such  sickness  or  trouble  exist.  At  any 
rate,  the  Pastor  ought  not  to  be  censured  if  he  does  not  call,  unless  the 
afflicted  have  specially  sent  for  him. 

IV.  Funerals. — If  possible,  consult  the  Pastor  before  definite 
arrangements  are  made  as  to  the  day  and  hour  for  the  funeral  services. 
This  will  enable  him  to  so  adjust  other  engagements  as  to  comply  with 
the  wishes  of  the  friends  of  the  deceased.  Funerals  should,  in  all  ordi- 
nary cases,  be  in  the  latter  part  of  the  day,  and  not  on  the  Lord's  Day. 
The  regular  duties  of  the  Sabbath  are  sufficient  for  the  strength  of  the 
Pastor. 

V.  Baptism. — All  Christian  parents  should  present  their  children  to 
the  Lord  in  Baptism,  as  soon  as  convenient  after  they  are  born.  This 
ordinance  should  be  administered  in  the  presence  of  the  congregation, 
and  not  in  private,  except  in  cases  of  sickness.  Parents  intending  to 
present  their  children  for  Baptism  should  always  write,  with  care,  the 
child's  name  in  full,  and  date  of  birth,  together  with  the  names  of  the 
father  and  mother  in  full,  upon  a  slip  of  paper,  and  hand  the  same  to 
the  Pastor,  to  be  recorded  in  the  Church  Register. 

VI.  Marriage. — When  persons  intending  to  be  married  have  set  the 
day  for  the  happy  event,  if  they  desire  the  services  of  the  Pastor,  they 
should  notify  him  as  soon  as  convenient,  so  that  he  may  avoid  making 
other  engagements  which  may  conflict  with  their  plans.  The  Pastor 
always  keeps  such  secrets. 

VII.  Public  Worship. — If  Christians  are  to  let  their  lights  shine  in 
Sabbath  observance,  they  must  engage  in  the  public  exercises  of  the 
Sanctuary ;  they  must  join  in  public  prayer  and  praise  with  the  people 
of  God.  Let  it  not  be  said  of  us  that  we  are  neglecting  the  ordinances 
of  God's  house.  Let  each  one  say  with  Joshua,  "As  for  me  and  my 
house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord."  Let  the  habit  of  regular  attendance 
upon  the  services  of  the  Sanctuary  be  a  controlling  power  in  the  life  of 
our  Church.  It  is  a  great  pleasure  for  the  Pastor  to  bear  record  to  the 
continued  faithfulness  of  our  people  in  this  direction.  Twice  each 
Sabbath,  in  the  evening  as  well  as  the  morning,  it  is  his  happy  privilege 
to  preach  to  a  full  house.  Let  this  good  attendance  continue,  and  let 
the  boys  and  girls  be  gathered  in  with  the  fathers  and  mothers,  to  the 
congregation  of  Sabbath  worshipers — "  both  young  men  and  maidens ; 


THE   pastor's   suggestions. 


old  men  and  children :  let  them  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord."  Come 
promptly  at  the  time  appointed  for  beginning  the  service,  and  thus  you 
will  not  disturb  others  in  their  worship.  In  God's  house  be  reverent 
and  attentive.  Be  eager  to  hear  as  the  Word  is  read,  and  let  the  house 
be  stillest  when  God  speaks.  Good  hearing  has  a  wonderful  effect  on 
the  preaching.     Sing  with  the  spirit.     Practice  what  is  preached. 

VIII.  The  Sabbath  School.— The  Sabbath  School  is  the  most 
important  department  of  our  Church-work.  In  it  we  have  the  most 
easily  reached  and  the  most  impressible  part  of  every  congregation. 
The  Sabbath  School  is  an  organized  power  which,  properly  utilized,  is 
capable  of  immense  possibilities  of  good  to  the  cause  of  Christ  and  to 
the  Church.  The  great  object  of  the  Sabbath  School  should  be  Bible 
study  for  Christian  growth,  for  immediate  religious  impressions  and  con- 
stant Christian  culture.  The  teacher's  object  should  be  to  lead  the  soul 
to  Christ.  Parents  should  send  their  children  regularly  and  on  time, 
and  assist  them  in  the  study  of  their  lessons.  They  should  give  the 
officers  and  teachers  their  prayers  and  assistance.  The  essential 
qualities  of  a  good  teacher  are  love  of  the  work,  carefulness  and 
thoroughness  of  preparation,  and  punctuality  of  attendance.  The 
Pastor  would  most  lovingly  press  the  claims  of  the  Sabbath  School  of 
our  Church  upon  the  attention  of  every  member,  as  the  work  not  of  the 
few  now  engaged  in  it,  but  as  a  work  in  which  every  member  of  our 
Church  has  a  share  and  common  interest ;  and  thus  aid  in  making  this 
field  of  labor  rich  in  abundant  fruit  for  the  Kingdom  of  our  Lord. 

IX.  The  Weekly  Meetings.— Make  the  Wednesday  Evening  Lec- 
ture and  the  Friday  Evening  Congregational  Prayer  Meeting  " « 
previous  engagement"  even  with  your  best  friend.  Such  meetings 
have  been  a  power  for  good  that  eternity  only  can  measure.  Within 
them  brotherly  love  has  been  fostered,  a  strong  working  faith  developed, 
and  souls  born  into  the  fold  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Let  every  member  feel 
it  a  duty  and  a  privilege  to  regularly  attend  these  services.  Not  one  of 
us  can  afford  to  lose  their  influence.  Invite  others  to  come  with  you 
and  try  to  interest  them  in  the  services.  Come  with  the  spirit  of  de- 
votion, of  sympathy,  and  of  love ;  join  heartily  in  the  singing ;  expect 
to  give  and  receive  some  good ;  and  these  weekly  meetings  will  be 
the  golden  hours  of  the  week. 

X.  Home  Religion.— The  Church  services  can  never  take  the  place 
of  home  training  and  influence.  Our  Church  life:  will  be  regulated  and 
directed  very  much  by  the  spirit  that  controls  the  family.  The  home 
ought  to  be  the  most  hallowed  spot  on  earth  to  the  child.  The  cords  of 
holy  love  thrown  around  him  there  are  almost  sure  to  draw  him  into  the 
Church,  and  lead  him  to  Heaven.  Godly  homes  are  the  nurseries  of 
the  Church.     The  memories  of  fireside  devotions  are  often  among  the 


lO  MANUAL   OF   THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,    PHILA. 


dearest  of  life.  All  home  conversations  about  religion  and  the  Church 
should  lead  the  little  children  to  feel  that  it  is  their  privilege  to  love  and 
serve  the  Lord,  just  as  they  do  their  father  and  mother,  and  enroll 
themselves  early  among  the  followers  of  Christ,  by  joining  his  Church, 
and  obey  his  dying  command:  "This  do  in  remembrance  of  me." 
Let  the  lambs  be  gathered  into  the  fold  before  they  become  hardened 
in  sin,  and  stray  away  from  holy  influences ;  and  let  the  Christian  home 
be  the  place  where  their  feet  are  directed  aright. 

XL  Bringing  Children  to  Church.- — God  has  ordained  that  his 
visible  Church  shall  be  built  up,  not  of  isolated  individuals,  but  of 
famihes.  Every  child  of  believing  parents  is  by  its  birth  a  citizen  of 
God's  Kingdom  and  an  heir  of  its  privileges,  subject  to  the  condition  of 
subsequent  personal  faith.  Attendance  at  the  Church  services  ought  to 
be  by  families.  The  Pastor  would  urge  all  parents  to  bring  their 
children  to  Church.  If  they  do  not,  they  can  not  expect  them  to  love 
the  Church  as  they  grow  up,  for  they  are  not  training  them  in  that 
direction.  Unless  the  children  are  brought  regularly 'to  the  public 
services  of  God's  House,  the  Church,  humanly  speaking,  has  little  or 
no  future  before  it.  The  present  generation  of  Church  goers  will  soon 
be  gone,  and  the  coming  generation,  being  untrained  in  the  ways  of 
their  parents,  will  care  nothing  for  the  prosperity  and  perpetuity  of  the 
Church,  Parents  should  not  allow  their  children  to  grow  up  without 
that  educational  training  in  spiritual  truth  which  a  regular  attendance 
upon  the  services  of  the  Church  cannot  fail  to  give,  and  without  that 
restraining  influence  which  the  preaching  of  God's  Word  wraps  around 
weak  human  nature.  Parents  who  do  not  bring  their  children  to  the 
Church  services,  are  neglecting  a  duty  which  is  very  serious  in  its 
consequences,  not  only  upon  their  children,  but  upon  themselves  ;  for 
they  are  sowing  seed  which,  if  the  parents  themselves  are  Christians, 
must,  some  day,  bring  a  harvest  in  tears  of  sorrow  and  bitterness.  The 
Pastor  then  would  sincerely  urge  that  parents,  for  their  own  sakes,  for 
their  children's  sakes,  and  for  the  sake  of  the  Church,  should  insist  upon 
their  children  coming  with  them  regularly  to  the  House  of  God.  They 
ought  to  bring  their  children  to  Church  so  early  in  life  that,  in  after 
years,  they  would  not  be  able  to  tell  when  they  began  to  attend  religious 
services.  In  manhood  and  womanhood,  they  will  thank  and  bless  their 
parents  for  such  a  training. 

XII.  Church  Membership. — Membership  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
is  based,  not  on  the  acceptance  of  a  creed,  but  upon  profession  of  faith 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This  faith  includes  penitence  for  sin  and 
obedience  to  the  commandments.  Uniting  with  the  Church  is  enrolling 
ourselves  among  the  followers  of  Christ.  The  Church  is  a  school  of 
Christ,  and  is  helpful  to  the  Christian  life.  Every  member  is  expected 
to  study  the  Scriptures  and  "  to  grow  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of 


THE   PASTOR  S   SUGGESTIONS.  1 1 


our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ."  The  hfe  of  every  member  of  the 
Church  should  be  consistent  w^ith  the  profession  he  has  made.  His 
conduct  should  in  no  respect  give  the  lie  to  his  profession.  In  uniting 
with  the  Church,  he  professes  to  seek  and  love  the  truth ;  to  make 
Christ  his  Teacher  and  Example;  to  be  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God;  to 
study  and  promote  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  Church ;  to  be 
jealous  of  the  reputation  of  the  Church  and  to  submit  himself  to  the 
laws,  government,  and  discipline  of  the  Church.  To  do  all  this 
will  require  much  prayer,  watchfulness,  and  diligence.  While  no  man 
is  perfect,  and  while  sanctification  is  a  work  of  life,  yet  the  Church 
expects  to  find  every  one  of  its  members  earnestly  striving  to  reach 
this  perfection.  He  should  practice  much  self-denial ;  he  should  be 
regular  in  observing  the  ordinances  of  the  Church ;  he  should  be  faith- 
ful in  discharging  the  duties  involved  in  his  relation  to  the  Church;  he 
should  be  active  in  Church-work — attending  all  the  services  and  per- 
suading others  to  attend ;  he  should  help  in  all  the  prayer,  social,  and 
business  meetings  of  the  Church  ;  and  he  should  contribute  regularly 
and  freely,  as  God  hath  prospered  him,  not  only  to  the  current  expenses 
of  our  own  Church,  but  to  all  departments  of  its  benevolent  work. 

Xni.  Church  Certificates. — It  is  "walking  disorderly"  not  to 
have  personal  responsibility  in  and  to  some  particular  Church.  Our 
members  are  affectionately  urged,  when  their  business  and  family  cir- 
cumstances call  them  to  leave  our  community,  to  apply  without  delay, 
to  the  Pastor  or  any  member  of  the  Session,  for  their  certificates  of  dis- 
mission and  recommendation,  and  also  to  present  them  promptly  to  the 
Church  to  which  they  are  commended,  remembering  that  their  relation 
to  us  does  not  cease  until  they  are  received  by  such  Church.  Members 
of  other  Churches  who  worship  with  us,  even  though  for  a  brief  or  in- 
definite time,  are  cordially  invited  to  present  their  certificates,  and  come 
into  full  communion  with  us  while  their  residence  is  here.  It  is  little 
trouble,  it  costs  nothing,  it  is  orderly,  it  is  courteous.  ,  Living  within  the 
bounds  of  one  Church,  and  having  a  membership  in  another,  is  not 
helpful  to  spiritual  life.  When  for  good  reasons  it  is  impracticable  to 
transfer  their  relationship,  our  non-resident  members  are  requested  to 
report  to  the  Session  at  least  once  a  year. 

XIV.  Hospitality. — It  is  the  duty  of  every  Church-member  to  be 
interested  in  the  welfare  of  every  other,  and  especially  in  the  same  con- 
gregation. Without  brotherly  love  no  Church  can  prosper;  and,  without 
acquaintance,  love  must  be  very  slight.  After  every  Church  meeting 
there  ought  to  be  cordial  greetings  between  those  who  are  present.  It 
is  the  injunction  of  Paul:  "As  we  have  therefore  opportunity,  let  us  do 
good  unto  all  men,  especially  unto  them  who  are  of  the  household  of 
faith."  Always  welcome  the  stranger  that  may  come  within  our  gate. 
No  member  of  the  congregation  should  allow  strangers  to  leave  the 


MANUAL   OF    THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,    PHILA. 


house,  without  speaking  to  them,  and  extending  an  invitation  to  return 
and  share  hi§  pew.  "  Finally,  be  ye  all  of  one  mind,  having  compas- 
sion one  of  another;  love  as  brethren,  be  pitiful,  be  courteous." — I 
Peter,  3:  8. 

XV.  Invitation  to  Strangers. — All  persons  who  have  no  regular 
place  of  worship,  are  invited  ro  come  and  cast  in  their  lot  with  us.  We 
will  make  you  welcome,  and  do  you  good.  If  you  accept  our  invitation 
to  be  one  with  us  in  our  worship,  we  mvite  you  to  make  yourself  known 
to  the  Pastor  as  such,  by  waitmg  to  speak  to  him  at  the  close  of  any 
service ;  or  by  writing  to  him,  giving  your  name  and  address,  and  he 
will  call  to  see  you  ;  or  by  visiting  him  at  his  home.  This  invitation  is 
extended  to  all,  alike  to  rich  and  poor,  learned  and  unlearned,  known 
and  unknown. 

XVI.  Religious  Newspapers.— It  is  desirable  that  there  should  be 
a  good  religious  newspaper  in  every  family  of  our  Church.  The  follow- 
ing are  good  Presbyterian  papers :  The  Presbyterian  and  The  Presbyte- 
rian Journal,  of  Philadelphia ;  The  New  York  Observer  and  The 
Evangelist,  of  New  York  City  ;  The  Presbyterian  Observer,  of  Balti- 
more ;  The  Presbyterian  Banner,  of  Pittsburg ;  The  Herald  and  Pres- 
byter, of  Cincinnati ;    The  Interior,  of  Chicago. 

XVII.  Young  People.— The  hope  of  the  Church  and  the  world  is  in 
the  young  people.  The  future  of  our  own  Church  depends  very  largely 
upon  those  who  have  the  fire  of  youth  to  help  in  active  Christian  work. 
Most  people  who  have  passed  middle  life  are  set  in  their  ways ;  and, 
whether  their  ways  are  right  or  wrong,  they  are  not  easily  moved.  It  is 
very  difficult  to  enlist  in  active  Christian  work  those  people  who  have 
come  into  the  Church  late  in  life,  and  especially  those  who  have  been  in 
the  Church  for  years,  and  who  have  done  little  or  nothing  for  the  cause 
of  Christ  and  the  spiritual  good  of  others.  The  young  people,  under 
the  direction  of  a  sympathizing  and  prudent  leader,  can  do  more 
efficient  service  in  matters  pertaining  to  the  active  work  and  prosperity 
of  our  Church  than  the  aged.  Young  men  can  greatly  aid  the  Pastor 
in  many  ways,  and  especially  by  loyalty  to  the  Church,  and  by  interest- 
ing other  young  men  in  the  services  and  the  work  of  our  Church. 
Young  ladies  can  do  even  more  by  a  similar  loyalty,  by  taking  a  de- 
cided stand  for  our  Church,  by  giving  it  as  a  whole  the  benefit  of  their 
social  influence,  remembering  what  Christ  has  done  for  their  sex.  Our 
young  people  can  in  a  multitude  of  ways  render  telling  service  for  the 
good  of  our  Church. 

XVIII.  Christian  Work. — It  is  the  Pastor's  chief  desire  to  have  the 
hearty  co-operation  of  all,  in  every  work  of  the  Church.  Each  one 
can  find  something  to  do,  and  any  one  desiring  special  work  can  find  it 
by  consulting  the  Pastor.     Each  member  ought  to  work  in  and  for  our 


THE  PASTOR  S   SUGGESTIONS. 


13 


Church,  doing  all  that  he  can  for  its  prosperity.  Otherwise  the  greatest 
success  cannot  be  attained.  Be  always  at  Church.  Be  ever  seeking  to 
bring  others  to  Church.  Seek  out  strangers  and  visit  them.  Seek  for 
new  Sabbath-school  scholars.  All  who  can  should  either  teach  or  enter 
a  class.  If  you  want  to  teach  and  there  is  no  class,  go  out  and  find  a 
class.  Watch  for  opportunities.  Seek  to  interest  strangers  in  our 
Church  home.  Don't  wait  for  formal  introductions.  Use  your  personal 
influence  with  non-church-goers.  Work  individually  and  privately. 
Be  much  in  prayer  for  the  Church.  Be  punctual  as  well  as  regular  at 
all  its  services.  Be  much  in  secret  communion  with  God.  Walk  with 
God.  Strive  to  preach  the  most  eloquent  and  powerful  of  all  sermons, 
by  simply  living  for  the  Saviour.  Be  careful  to  fulfill  all  righteousness 
between  man  and  man.  Covet  the  best  gifts.  Pray  without  ceasing. 
Be  much  in  fellowship  with  the  saints.  Cultivate  hospitality.  Know 
and  love  the  members  of  our  Church  and  do  good  unto  all.  When 
your  Pastor  makes  mistakes,  don't  go  and  complain  to  others,  but  go 
and  tell  Jesus.  Pray  earnestly  for  your  Pastor,  that  his  ministry  may 
not  be  in  vain,  and  that  he  may  be  the  instrument  in  God's  hands  of 
doing  much  good  in  our  Church. 

XIX.  Holiness. — Holiness  is  the  crowning  excellence  of  which 
humanity  is  capable,  and  for  which  it  was  originally  designed.  The 
great  design  of  the  Gospel  is  to  promote  holiness.  The  principles  of 
holiness  are  constant  fellowship  with  God  and  unreserved  consecration 
of  the  soul  and  life  to  God.  The  members  of  our  Church  are  affection- 
ately urged  to  make  holiness  the  great  object  for  which  they  pray,  and 
after  which  they  strive.  Everything  we  do  should  be  done  in  the  name 
of  Christ,  and  for  His  sake,  or  our  Church  services  will  be  worth  but 
little.  We  should  be  holy  on  Monday,  as  well  as  on  Sabbath ;  in  the 
store  as  well  as  at  the  communion  table  ;  in  the  workshop,  as  well  as  in 
the  Church.  We  are  not  our  own,  but  Christ's ;  and  we  should  hold 
ourselves  and  all  that  we  have  to  be  not  our  own,  but  the  property  of  the 
King  of  kings.  Thus,  we  shall  make  our  lives  bright  with  the  effulgence 
of  holiness,  and  benign  with  the  blessing  of  beneficence;  and,  at  last, 
we  shall  receive  from  Him  whose  approbation  is  eternal  honor  the  com- 
mendation, "Well  done  !  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 


14  MANUAL   OF    THE   SOUTHWESTERN    PRESB.    CHURCH,   PHILA. 


j^i|tori?al  ^e?ord. 


1853-1885. 


Church  Organized  by  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  Feb.  8,  iSsj. 

Present  House  of  Worship  Dedicated,  March  lo,  i86i. 

Present  Parsonage  Erected  during  i86g  and  i8yo. 


I.   pastOFS. 

Rev.  James  McCaskie,  a  native  of  Ireland,  a  licentiate  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  Strabane,  Ireland,  and  who  had  served  this  Church  as  stated 
supply  from  its  organization,  was  ordained  and  installed  its  first  Pastor, 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  July  12,  1854.  He  was  released 
from  the  Pastoral  care  of  the  Church  June  20,  1864,  and  ever  since  has 
been  in  the  ministry  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Ireland. 

Rev.  John  McLeod,  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  a  graduate  of  Yale 
College,  and  who  received  his  theological  education  at  Yale  Seminary, 
and  who  was  then  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  (new  school,)  and  stated  supply  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  Reeseville,  Chester  County,  Pa.,  and  formerly  Pastor 
of  a  Presbyterian  Church  in  Montreal,  Canada,  was  elected  the  second 
Pastor  of  this  Church,  September  27,  1864,  and,  having  served  the 
Church  as  Pastor-elect  from  his  election,  was  duly  installed  in  1866. 
On  account  of  failing  health  he  resigned  his  charge  and  was  released 
February  4,  1884,  and  is  now  living  in  England. 

Rev.  Irwin  P.  McCurdy,  a  native  of  Western  Pennsylvania,  a 
graduate  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Normal  School,  at  Indiana,  Pa., 
and  of  Lafayette  College,  and  who  received  his  theological  education  at 
Princeton  Seminary,  and  who  was  then  Pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Frederick  City,  Maryland,  and  Professor  of  Greek  and 
Higher  Mathematics  in  Frederick  Seminary,  was  elected  the  third 
Pastor  of  this  Church,  April  14,  1884;  and,  after  having  been  released 
from  his  charge  at  Frederick  City  on  the  15th  of  the  following  June,  he 
entered  upon  his  Pastorate  in  this  Church  on  the  next  day,  and  was  in- 
stalled on  the  29th  of  the  same  month. 


HISTORICAL   RECORD.  I  5 


II.   Elders. 

Installed.  Ceased  to  Serve. 

James    McClean Feb.     8,1853 Mar.  19,  1853 

Robert    Mullen Feb.    8,1853 Sept.  24,  1862 

John    Patterson *June  24,  1853 Sept.  23,  1853 

John  A.  Cowan *Mar.  24,  1854 Dec.  22,  1871 

Alexander    Gamble *Mar.  24,  1854 Sept.  22,  1871 

Samuel    Fulton Sept.    4,  1869 

James   Hemphill Sept.    4,  1869 Mar.  24,  1876 

Chas.  Edward  Miller July     2,  1876 

Charles    Crudden July     2,  1876 

Hugh  Rutherford July     2,1876 

William    McKnight. July     2,1876 

James  Moore   July     2,  1876 

James  Thompson July     2,  1876 July     i,  1877 

Charles    Harter July     1,1877 June  13,  1884 

John  Graham July     i,  1877 Feb.  20,  1885 


III.    Deacons. 

Installed.  Ceased  to  Serve. 

Hugh  Copeland July  2,  1876 

Matthew  McCauley J  uly  2,  1 876 

Charles  Forbes July  2,  1876 

William   Robson July  2,  1876 


*  Date  of  first  meeting  with  the  Session ;    installed  previously,  but  the  record  cannot  be 
found. 


l6  MANUAL   OF   THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,    PHILA. 


present  j^ppointment^ 


Public  Worship,  on  Sabbath,  at  10:30  A.  M„  and  7:45  P.  M. 
Sabbath  School,  on  Sabbath,  at  2:30  P.  M„  in  the  Sabbath  School 
Rooms.     On  Communion  Sabbaths,  at  2  P.  M. 

Young  People's  Meeting,  for  Prayer  and  Praise,  on  Sabbath,  at 
7  P.  M.,  in  the  Lecture  Room. 

Lecture  Service,  on  Wednesday  Evening,  at  8  o'clock,  in  the 
Lecture  Room. 

Congregational  Prayer  Meeting,  on  Friday  Evening,  at  8  o'clock, 
in  the  Lecture  Room. 

Young  Ladies'  Prayer  Meeting  (for  ladies  only),  on  Sabbath 
Afternoon,  at  4  o'clock,  in  the  Bible  Class  Room. 

Young  Men's  Prayer  Meeting  (for  young  men  only),  on  Sabbath 
Morning,  at  10  o'clock,  in  the  Bible  Class  Room. 

Parent's  and  Children's  Meeting,  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  each 
month,  at  7:45  P.  M.,  in  the  Church. 

Communion,  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  March,  June,  September,  and 
December,  at  3:30  P.  M. 

Preparatory  Services,  on  Wednesday  and  Friday  Evenings  pre- 
ceding the  Communion,  at  8  o'clock. 

Baptism,  on  the  Sabbath  following  the  Communion,  at  the  morning 
service  ;  and  it  may  be  administered  at  any  public  service. 

The  Session  meets  on  Friday  Evening  preceding  the  fourth  Sabbath 
of  each  month,  immediately  after  Prayer  Meeting,  and  at  the  call  of  the 
Pastor.  It  meets  on  Friday  Evening  preceding  the  Communion,  imme- 
diately after  the  preparatory  service,  and  also  on  Commimion  Sabbath, 
immediately  after  the  morning  service,  to  receive  applications  for  Church 
membership,  either  on  profession  of  faith  or  by  letter. 


PRESENT   APPOINTMENTS.  IJ 


The  Board  of  Deacons  meets  at  the  call  of  its  President. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  meets  on  the  second  Thursday  of  each 
month,  at  8  P.  M.,  and  at  the  call  of  its  President. 

The  Pew  Committee  meets  on  the  first  and  third  Monday  Evenings 
of  April,  July,  October,  and  January,  at  jyi  o'clock,  in  the  Lecture 
Room.  The  Treasurer  and  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  meet  at 
the  same  time  and  place  for  the  collection  of  pew  rents. 

The  Congregation  meets  annually  on  the  second  Monday  of  Feb- 
ruary, at  8  P.  M.,  for  the  election  of  Trustees  and  the  transaction  of 
other  Church  business.  It  may  also  meet  at  the  call  of  the  Session  for 
the  transaction  of  special  business. 

The  Sabbath  School  Association  meets  on  the  second  Tuesday 
of  each  month,  at  8  P.  M. 

The  John  McLeod  Foreign  Mission  Band  meets  on  the  fourth 
Monday  of  each  month,  at  8  P.  M. 

The  Willard  M.  Rice  Foreign  Mission  Band  meets  on  the  first 
Tuesday  of  each  month,  at  8  P.  M. 

The  Irwin  P.  McCurdy  Foreign  Mission  Band  meets  on  the 
third  Monday  of  each  month,  at  8  P.  M. 

The  Mizpah  Young  Ladies'  Mission  Band  meets  on  the  first 
Monday  of  each  month,  at  8  P.  M. 

The  White  Ribbon  Army,  Southwestern  Division,  meets  at  the 
call  of  its  Executive  Committee. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  meets  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  each 
month,  immediately  after  the  Lecture  Service. 


l8  MANUAL   OF   THK   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,   PHILA. 


JlFegenl  Organisation. 


L  GhuFch  OffieeFS. 

I.  PASTOR. 
Rev.  Irwin  P.  McCurdy 723  South  20th  Street.* 

II.     RULING    ELDERS. 

Samuel  Fulton 728  South  20th  Street 

Chas.  Edward   Miller 2009  South  Street 

Charles  Crudden 2007  Pemberton  Street 

Hugh  Rutherford 2501  Naudain  Street 

William  McKnight 1935  Pemberton  Street 

James  Moore,  Clerk 1237  South  20th  Street 

III.  DEACONS. 

Hugh  Copeland,  President 2051  Fitzwater  Street 

William   Robson,  Secretary 2025  South  Street 

Matthew  McCauley,  Treasurer 1631  South  Street 

Charles  Forbes 2116  Pemberton  Street 

IV.  TRUSTEES. 

Samuel  Sproul,  President 22d  and  Ellsworth  Streets 

John  A.  Cowan,  Secretary 2815  Hummel  Street 

Alex.  T.  McCauley,  Treasurer 1740  Carver  Street 

James  S.  Caterson 1532  South  17th  Street 

Hugh  Copeland 2051  Fitzwater  Street 

Charles  Forbes 2116  Pemberton  Street 

John  Patterson 1937  Pemberton  Street 

James  Thompson 1038  Ward  Street 

John  Woods 713  South  19th  Street 

Edward  Milligan,  Sexton 2020  Catharine  Street 


*  The  Parsonage  is  the  first  house  north  of  the  Church. 


PRESENT   ORGANIZATION.  I9 


II.   5;he  Sabbath  Sehool. 

I.  OFFICERS. 

Charles  Crudden,  Superintendent 2007  Pemberton  Street 

James  Moore,  Assistant  Supt. 1237  South  20th  Street 

Samuel  T.  Moore,  Secretary 1237  South  20th  Street 

Charles  M.  Moore,  Assistant  Sec 1237  South  20th  Street 

Samuel  Fulton,  Treasurer 728  South  20th  Street 

John  A.  Cowan,  Librarian 2815  Hummel  Street 

II.     TEACHERS. 

Miss  Sallie  A.  Brown 2136  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  P.  Clendenning 191 3  Christian  Street 

Miss  Susie  E.  Crudden 2007  Pemberton  Street 

Miss  Martha  A.  Crudden 2007  Pemberton  Street 

William  McG.  Cull 1827  Titan  Street 

Miss  Mary  E.  Given 21 16  Catharine  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Johnson 710  Birch  Street 

Miss  Mary  J.  Martin 2021  Catharine  Street 

Miss  Annie  McCurdy 2108  Christian  Street 

John  McDonald 1 518  Hicks  Street 

Miss  Maggie  MacFarlane 2420  Catharine  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  MacFarlane 2420  Catharine  Street 

Miss  Belle  MacFarlane 2420  Catharine  Street 

James  McKinley 191 5  Rittenhouse  Street 

Robert  I.  Smith 1825  Pemberton  Street 

Samuel  R.  Smith 221  North  Juniper  Street 

Miss  Annie  M.  Smyth 2029  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Jennie  E.  Smyth 2029  Fitzwater  Street 

Mrs.  Margaret  W.  Spence 624  Gray's  Ferry  Road 

James  G.  Woods 713  South  19th  Street 

III.     THE  INFANT  SCHOOL. 

Mrs.  Mary  Henderson,  Superintendent .  .807  South  21st  Street 
Miss  Jennie  Clendenning,  Assistant  Supt.igi^  Christian  Street 


MANUAL   OF   THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,    PHILA. 


III.   Other  OFganizations. 

I.     THE   CHOIR. 

Samuel  R.  Smith,  Precentor 221  North  Juniper  Street. 

Miss  Susie  E.  Crudden,  Organist 2007  Pemberton  Street 


H.     THE  JOHN  McLEOD  FOREIGN  MISSION  BAND. 

Organized  June,  1883. 

Miss  Annie  McCurdy,  President 2108  Christian  Street 

John  T.  Brown,  Secretary 2019  South  Street 

Samuel  Cameron,  Treasurer 2701  Christian  Street 


III.     THE  WILLARD  M.  RICE  FOREIGN  MISSION  BAND. 

Organized  December,  1883 

Miss  Maggie  MacFarlane,  President  . . .  .2420  Catharine  Street 

Robert  Brice,  Vice-President 2203  Montrose  Street 

John  Wilson,  Secretary .2243  League  Street 

Miss  M.  C.  MacFarlane,  Treasurer 2420  Catharine  Street 


IV.     THE  IRWIN  P.  McCURDY  FOREIGN  MISSION  BAND. 

Organized  September,  1884. 

Miss  Lizzie  P.  Clendenning,  President.  .1913  Christian  Street 

James  G.  Woods,  Vice-President 713  South  19th  Street 

William  A.  Smith,  Secretary 2048  Bainbridge  Street 

James  Barr,  Financial  Secretary 1914  Wilcox  Street 

Matthew  B.  MacCarter,  Treasurer 619  South  i8th  Street 


V.     THE  MIZPAH  YOUNG  LADIES'  MISSION  BAND. 

Organized  November,  1884. 

Miss  Jennie  E.  Smyth,  President 2029  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Annie  M.  Smyth,  Vice-President 2029  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  S.  Ball,  Secretary 2029  Bainbridge  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Johnson,  Treasurer 710  Birch  Street 


PRESENT   ORGANIZATION. 


VI.     THE  WHITE  RIBBON  ARMY. 

SOUTHWESTERN    DIVISION. 

Organized  February  8,  1885. 

James  G.  Woods,  'President 713  South  19th  Street 

George  R.  Speer,  Vice-President 710  Birch  Street 

James  Barr,  Secretary 1914  Wilcox  Street 

Miss  Belle  MacFarlane,  Treasurer. . .  .2420  Catharine  Street 

The  Pastor,  Ex-  Officio  First  Officer. 

The  S.  S.  Superintendent,  Ex- Officio  Second  Officer. 


VII.     THE  YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  MEETING. 

Established  January  iS,  1S85. 

executive  committee. 

James  G.  Woods,  Chairman 713  South  19th  Street 

William  Riddagh 1525  Sanderson  Street 

George  R.  Speer 710  Birch  Street 

The  Pastor  and  S.  S.  Superintendent,  Ex-Officio  Members. 

ORGANIST, 

Miss  Belle  MacFarlane 2420  Catharine  Street 

CHORISTER, 

James  G.  Woods 713  South  19th  Street 


VIII.     THE  CONGREGATIONAL  PRAYER   MEETING. 

Established  March  13,  1885. 
EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE. 

James  Moore,   Chairman 1237  South  20th  Street 

William  McKnight 1935  Pemberton  Street 

Samuel  Fulton , 728  South  20th  Street 


IX.     THE  LADIES'  AID  SOCIETY. 

Organized  March  25,  1885. 

Mrs.  Mary  Johnson,  President 710  Birch  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  Henderson,  Vice-President .  .  .807  South  21st  Street 
Mrs.  Hannah  E.  Barnett,  Secretary . . .  .2136  Fitzwater  Street 
Mrs.  Ray  L.  McCurdy,  Treasurer 723  South  20th  Street 


22  MANUAL   OF   THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,   PHILA. 


^oll  of  Gommuni(?ant^ 


April    1st,    1885. 


[Arranged  alphabetically  in  families.     Not  including  the  "  Reserve  Roll."J 


James  Anderson 1228  South  19th  Street 

Mrs.  Martha  Anderson. 1228  South  19th  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  Anderson 721  Doak  Street 

David  Andrews 1826  Pemberton  Street 

Mrs.  Margaret  Andrews 1826  Pemberton  Street 

Miss  Martha  T.  Andrews 1826  Pemberton  Street 

John  G.  Andrews 1826  Pemberton  Street 

John  Andrews 2030  South  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  Andrews 2030  South  Street 

Miss  Mary  Andrews 2030  South  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Andrews 2030  South  Street 

Mrs.  Sarah  Andrews 2004  Ellsworth  Street 

Miss  Mary  Andrews 2004  Ellsworth  Street 

Mrs.  Jennie  Atherholt 1907  Latona  Street 

Robert  Ball 2029  Bainbridge  Street 

Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Ball 2029  Bainbridge  Street 

WiUiam  J.  Ball 2029  Bainbridge  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  S.  Ball 2029  Bainbridge  Street 

Miss  Emma  V.  Ball 2029  Bainbridge  Street 

George  Banks 2002  Evergreen  Street 

Mrs.  Martha  Banks 2002  Evergreen  Street 

Mrs.  Hannah  E.  Barnett 2136  Fitzwater  Street 

Mrs.  Fannie  Barr 1914  Wilcox  Street 

Miss  Annie  Barr 1914  Wilcox  Street 

James  Barr 1914  Wilcox  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  Barr 19 14  Wilcox  Street 


ROLL   OF    COMMUNICANTS.  23 


Miss  Sarah  Blair 1943  Harmstead  Street 

John  Boyd 201 5  Bainbridge  Street 

Mrs.  Eliza  Boyd 201 5  Bainbridge  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Boyd 201 5  Bainbridge  Street 

James  Brice 2203  Montrose  Street 

Mrs.  Annie  Brice 2203  Montrose  Street 

Mrs,  Martha  Briggs 730  Wyoming  Street 

Thomas  C.  Brown 2019  South  Street 

Mrs.  Lizzie  Brown 2019  South  Street 

John  T.  Brown 2019  South  Street 

Miss  Mary  J.  Brown 2136  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Sallie  A  Brown 2136  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Emma  R.  Brown 2136  Fitzwater  Street 

William  J.  Brown 702  South  19th  Street 

Mrs.  Sallie  Brown 702  South  19th  Street 

John  Bunting 3208  Chancellor  Street 

Mrs.  Susan  Bunting 3208  Chancellor  Street 

George  L.  Burns 717  Florida  Street 

Miss  Mary  A.  Calhoun 2019  Federal  Street 

Miss  Eliza  Calhoun 2019  Federal  Street 

Robert  Calhoun 1436  Hill  Street 

Mrs.  Maria  Calhoun 1436  Hill  Street 

Robert  S.  Cameron 2701  Christian  Street 

Mrs.  Margery  Cameron 2701  Christian  Street 

William  Campbell   2805  Hummel  Street 

Mrs.  Jane  Campbell 2805  Hummel  Street 

Mrs.  Catharine  Canders 1935  Pemberton  Street 

Mrs.  Ann  Carnahan 2106  Alter  Street 

John  Carr 1042  Ward  Street 

Mrs.  Eliza  J.  Carr 1042  Ward  Street 

James  S.  Caterson 1 532  South  1 7th  Street 

Mrs.  A.  Maria  Caterson 1 532  South  1 7th  Street 

John  Caterson 1009  Dorrance  Street 

Mrs.  Charlotte  E.  Caterson 1009  Dorrance  Street 

Miss  Maggie  M.  Caterson 1009  Dorrance  Street 

Mrs.  Margaret  Christie 1730  Manton  Street 

William  G.   Clements 2004  Annin  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  J.  Clements 2004  Annin  Street 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Clendenning 19 13  Christian  Street 

Miss  Jennie  Clendenning 1913  Christian  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  P.  Clendenning 19 13  Christian  Street 

Mrs.  Isabella  Colgan 613  South  20th  Street 

Miss  Isabella  Condy 1 738  Lombard  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  Eliza  Conner 215  McAlpin  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  Conner 215  McAlpin  Street 


24  MANUAL   OF   THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,   PHILA. 


John  J.  Conner 3501  Market  Street 

Hugh  Copeland 2051  Fitzwater  Street 

Mrs.  Margaret  Copeland 2051  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  Copeland 2051  Fitzwater  Street 

Hugh  Copeland,  Jr 2051  Fitzwater  Street 

Samuel  W.  Copeland 2051  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Copeland 2051  Fitzwater  Street 

John  A.  Cowan 28 1 5  Hummel  Street 

Mrs.  Lizzie  A.  Cowan 2815  Hummel  Street 

Robert  Cowan 1 736  Dickerson  Street 

Robert   Coyle 750  South  i6th  Street 

Mrs.  Lizzie  Coyle 750  South  i6th  Street 

Miss  Agnes  C.  Creth 1828  Manton  Street 

Charles  Crudden 2007  Pemberton  Street 

Mrs.  Jane  Crudden . .    2007  Pemberton  Street 

Miss  Susie  E.  Crudden 2007  Pemberton  Street 

Miss  Martha  A.  Crudden 2007  Pemberton  Street 

Miss  Mary  J.  Crudden 2007  Pemberton  Street 

Charles  J.  Crudden 2007  Pemberton  Street 

John  Cull 2244  Montrose  Street 

WiUiam  McG.  Cull 1827  Titan  Street 

Mrs.  Agnes  Cull 1827  Titan  Street 

John  Cull,  Jr 1827  Titan  Street 

William    McM.  Cull 1827  Titan  Street 

Charles  E.  Cunius 2025  South  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  A.  Cunius 2025  South  Street 

James  Dalzell 2103  Catharine  Street 

Mrs.  Ellen  Dalzell 2103  Catharine  Street 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  S.   Drummond iSth  and  Cherry  Streets 

Mrs.  Mary  Erskine 161 5  Dean  Street 

Robert  Ferguson 2024  Ellsworth  Street 

Mrs.  Robert  Ferguson 2024  Ellsworth  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Ferguson 1909  Wharton  Street 

Charles  Forbes 21 16  Pemberton  Street 

Mrs.  Annie  Forbes 21 16  Pemberton  Street 

Arthur  Foster 1230  South  i8th  Street 

Mrs.  Margaret  Foster 1230  South  i8th  Street 

Miss  Annie  Foster 1230  South  i8th  Street 

James  Fulton 1943  Harmstead  Street 

Mrs.  Rebecca  J.   Fulton 1943  Harmstead  Street 

Samuel  Fulton 728  South  20th  Street 

Mrs.  Annie  Fulton 728  South  20th  Street 

Miss  Martha  Gallagher 620  North  i6th  Street 

Mrs.  EHza  R.  Gamble 18 10  Naudain  Street 

Thomas  Gamble 2003  Titan  Street 


ROLL   OF    COMMUNICANTS.  25 


Mrs.  Mary  Jane  Gamble 2003  Titan  Street 

William  T.  Garvin 524  South  1 5th  Street 

John  Getty 21 18  Fairfield  Street 

Mrs.  Annie  Getty 2 118  Fairfield  Street 

Miss  Mary  E.  Given 21 16  Catharine  Street 

William  Glenn 2034  Fitzwater  Street 

Mrs.  Martha  J.  Glenn  .  .    2034  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Mary  Gordon 2133  Federal  Street 

Mrs.  Kate  Gorman 614  South  i8th  Street 

Samuel  Gorman 2212  Kimball  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  J.  Gorman 2212  Kimball  Street 

John  Graham 1620  Afton  Street 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Graham ■. . . .  1620  Afton  Street 

Miss  Mary  J.  Graham 1620  Afton  Street 

Miss  Charlotte  Graham 1620  Afton  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Graham 1620  Afton  Street 

Samuel  Gray 2214  Christian  Street 

Mrs.  Maggie  Gray 2214  Christian  Street 

Thomas  Gray Clifton,  near  Phila. 

Mrs.  Jennie  Gray Clifton,  near  Phila. 

Mrs.  Lizzie  A.  Greer 1014  Clement  Street 

William  Hazleton 20th  and  Evergreen  Sts 

Mrs.  Mary  J.  Hazleton 20th  and  Evergreen  Sts 

Mrs.  Ellen  Mary  Hemphill, 1809  Naudain  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  Henderson  , 807  South  21st  Street 

Henry  Hewkin 1 1 1 2  South  20th  Street 

Mrs.  M.  E.  Hewkin li  12  South  20th  Street 

Joseph  Hopper 2130  Ellsworth  Street 

Miss  Annie  Hopper 2130  Ellsworth  Street 

Miss  Susie  Hopper 2130  Ellsworth  Street 

Miss  Lucinda  Hopper 2130  Ellsworth  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Hufton 749  Park  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  C.  Jackson 744  South  i8th  Street 

Samuel  Jackson 1641  Federal  Street 

Mrs.   Margaret  Jackson 1641  Federal  Street 

John  Jamison 1828  Manton  Street 

Mrs.  Margaret  Jamison 1828  Manton  Street 

Miss  Mary  Jane  Jamison 1828  Manton  Street 

William  J.  Jamison 1828  Manton  Street 

George  Johnson 710  Birch  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  Johnson 710  Birch  Street 

Miss  Jennie  Johnson 710  Birch  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Johnson 710  Birch  Street 

Miss  Mary  Johnson 710  Birch  Street 

Miss  Bella  Johnson 710  Birch  Street 


26  MANUAL   OF   THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,    PHILA. 


Miss  Lizzie  Boyd  Johnson 710  Birch  Street 

Samuel  Johnston 807  South  21st  Street 

Mrs.  Margaret  Johnston 807  South  21st  Street 

William  J.  Johnston 807  South  21st  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Johnston 807  South  21st  Street 

James  Kelly 1908  Kimball  Street 

Mrs.  Eliza  Kelly 1908  Kimball  Street 

Mrs.  Catharine  Kerr 2125  Federal  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Kinkade 2122  South  Street 

Mrs.  Georgianna  A.  Kling 2037  Lombard  Street 

Miss  Maggie  Knox 1922  Bainbridge  Street 

Mrs.  Mary   Lamberton 2108  Christian  Street 

James  MacCarter 619  South  i8th  Street 

Mrs.  Matilda  MacCarter 619  South  i8th  Street 

William  J.  MacCarter 619  South  i8th  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  McCauley 1 734  Burton  Street 

Matthew  McCauley 1631  South  Street 

Mrs.  Sarah  McCauley 1631  South  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  Ann  McCauley 1631  South  Street 

Miss  Mary  McCauley 1631  South  Street 

Hugh  T.  McCauley 1631  South  Street 

Miss  Maggie  McCauley 1631  South  Street 

Alexander  T.  McCauley 1740  Carver  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  J.  McCauley .1740  Carver  Street 

Samuel  McClellan 1333  South  i8th  Street 

Mrs.  Sarah  McClellan 1 333  South  1 8th  Street 

Mrs.  Eliza  J.  McConnell 853  Perkiomen  Street 

Miss  Susie  McConnell 853  Perkiomen  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  McCuen 1803  Lee  Street 

Miss  Mary  McCuen 1803  Lee  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  McCuen 1803  Lee  Street 

Joseph  H.  McCuen 31  North  35th  Street 

Mrs.  Maggie  McCuen 31  North  35  Street 

Mrs.  Rachel  McCune 1927  Kater  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  A.  McCurdy 2108  Christian  Street 

Miss  Annie  McCurdy 2108  Christian  Street 

Mrs.  Ray  L.  McCurdy 723  South  20th  Street 

John  McDonald 1518  Hicks  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  McDonald 1518  Hicks  Street 

James  R.  McFall 1812  Barker  Street 

Mrs.  Mary   MacFarlane 2420  Catharine  Street 

Miss  Maggie  C.  MacFarlane     2420  Catharine  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  MacFarlane 2420  Catharine  Street 

Miss  Belle  MacFarlane 2420  Catharine  Street 

Miss  Mary   MacFarlane 2420  Catharine  Street 


ROLL   OF   COMMUNICANTS.  27 


William  McKay 2001  Titan  Street. 

Miss  Matilda  McKay 2001  Titan  Street 

Miss  Maggie  McKay 738  South  12th  Street 

William  Mc Knight 1935  Pemberton  Street 

Mrs.  Catharine  Mc  Knight 1935  Pemberton  Street 

Mrs.  Annie  McLaughlin 2540  Riggs  Street 

Miss  Isabella  McLaughlin 2540  Riggs  Street 

James  McLaughlin 143 1  Montrose  Street 

Mrs.  Jane  McLaughlin 1431  Montrose  Street 

Miss  Violet  E,  McLaughlin 1431  Montrose  Street 

John  E.  McLaughlin 1431  Montrose  Street 

Joseph  McLaughlin 1431  Montrose  Street 

Mrs.  Jane  McMichael 1418  South  i6th  Street 

Miss  Annie   McMichael 141 8  South  i6th  Street 

Matthew  McNerrie 744  South  i8th  Street 

Mrs.  Margaret  McNerrie 744  South  i8th  Street 

Charles   Maguiness 1920  Montrose  Street 

Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Maguiness 1920  Montrose  Street 

Miss  Mary  J.  Martin 2021  Catharine  Street 

WiUiam    Martin 1900  Ringgold  Place 

Mrs.   Isabella  Martin 1900  Ringgold  Place 

Chas.  Edward  Miller.  .  .  ^ 2009  South  Street 

Miss  Margaret  J.  Miller 2053  South  Street 

Edward  Milligan 2020  Catharine  Street 

William  J.  Milligan 2020  Catharine  Street 

Charles  Mills 2006  Lombard  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  Mills 2006  Lombard  Street 

Edward  Moore i  Grayson  Place 

James  Moore 21 16  Catharine  Street 

Mrs.  Eliza  J.  Moore 2116  Catharine  Street 

James  Moore 1237  South  20th  Street 

Mrs.  Maggie  L.  Moore 1237  South  20th  Street 

Samuel  T.  Moore 1237  South  20th  Street 

Charles  M.  Moore 1237  South  20th  Street 

William  J.  Moore 1 543  Dorrance  Street 

Miss  Elmina  INIoore 20th  and  Evergreen  Sts 

W.  John  Moore 2231  Ellsworth  Street 

David  Morrison 2041  Catharine  Street 

Mrs.  Sarah  Morrison 2041  Catharine  Street 

Miss  Jane  Morrison 2019  South  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Mullen 31  North  35th  Street 

John  Murdock 749  Park  Street 

Mrs.  Kate  C.  Murdock 749  Park  Street 

Miss  Mary  A.  Murdoch 1222  South  i8th  Street 

Joseph  Neeley 20th  and  Pemberton  Sts 


28  MANUAL   OF    THE   SOUTHWESTERN    PRESB,    CHURCH,    PHILA. 


Mrs.  Emily  Parker 201 5  South  Street 

Miss  Isabella  Parker 2015  South  Street 

Benjamin  N.  Parker 201 5  South  Street 

Robert  Parker 1819  Titan  Street 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Parker 18 19  Titan  Street 

Miss  Lucy  M.  F.  Parker 18 19  Titan  Street 

Mrs,  Martha  Patterson 2008  Carpenter  Street 

Robert  Patterson 2008  Carpenter  Street 

Miss  Hannah  Patterson 2008  Carpenter  Street 

Miss  Annie  J.  Patterson 2008  Carpenter  Street 

John   Patterson 1937  Pemberton  Street 

Mrs.  Jennie  Patterson 1937  Pemberton  Street 

William  Patterson 406  South  23d  Street 

John  Patton 2001  Titan  Street 

Mrs.  Matilda  Patton 2001  Titan  Street 

Miss  Maggie  S.   Patton 1914  Wilcox  Street 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Patton 2436  Christian  Street 

Jos.  Irvine  Patton 2436  Christian  Street 

Mrs.   Mary  Patton 2436  Christian  Street 

Mrs.  Jane  Phillips 1738  Lombard  Street 

Miss  Jane  Phillips 1931  Kimball  Street 

Mrs.  Jane  Phillips 23d  and  Fitzwater  Streets 

Mrs.  Isabella  O uinn 2009  South  Street 

David  Rankin 1304  Mt.  Holly  Street 

Robert  Riddagh 1525  Sanderson  Street 

Mrs.  Jane  Riddagh 1 525  Sanderson  Street 

William  Riddagh 1525  Sanderson  Street 

Samuel  Riddagh 1525  Sanderson  Street 

Robert  Riddagh,  Jr 1525  Sanderson  Street 

Mrs.  Eliza  Robinson 614  South  i8th  Street 

Archibald   Robinson 614  South  i8th  Street 

James  Robson 2025  South  Street 

William  Robson 2025  South  Street 

Mrs.  Margaret  Rogers r935  Pemberton  Street 

Miss  Annie  Rogers 1935  Pemberton  Street 

George  Ross 1900  Ringgold  Place 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ross 1900  Ringgold  Place 

William  Ross 1827  Webster  Street 

Mrs.  Barbara  Ross 1827  Webster  Street 

Hugh  Rutherford 2501  Naudain  Street 

Mrs.  Isabella  Rutherford 2501  Naudain  Street 

Miss  Lizzie  Rutherford 1930  Watts  Street 

Miss  Bella  Rutherford 1930  Watts  Street 

Miss  Sophia  Rutherford 1930  Watts  Street 

John  Smallwood 2125  Harmstead  Street 


ROLL   OF   COMMUNICANTS.  29 


Mrs,  Eliza  Smallwood 2125  Harmstead  Street 

Miss  Bella  Smallwood 2125  Harmstead  Street 

John  L.  Smallwood 2125  Harmstead  Street 

Mrs,  Eliza  Smith 2244  Montrose  Street 

Miss  Eliza  J,  Smith 2244  Montrose  Street 

John  J.  Smith 1 741  Webster  Street 

Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Smith 2048  Bainbridge  Street 

William  A.  Smith 2048  Bainbridge  Street 

Samuel  Smith 1825  Pemberton  Street 

Mrs.  Esther  M.  Smith 1825  Pemberton  Street 

Robert  Irwin  Smith 1825  Pemberton  Street 

Miss  Hannah  Smith 1825  Pemberton  Street 

Samuel  R.  Smith ■ 221  N.  Juniper  Street 

George  R.  Speer 710  Birch  Street 

Mrs.  Margaret  W.  Spence 624  Gray's  Ferry  Road 

Samuel   Sproul 22d  and  Ellsworth  Sts 

Mrs.  Annie  E.  Sproul 22d  and  Ellsworth  Sts 

Miss  Lizzie  Sproul 22d  and  Ellsworth  Sts 

James  Stephenson 1 5 1 3  Ellsworth  Street 

Mrs.  Isabella  Stephenson 1 5 1 3  Ellsworth  Street 

Miss  Annie  Stephenson 1513  Ellsworth  Street 

Wilham  Stewart 730  Webb  Street 

Mrs.  Ellen  Stewart 730  Webb  Street 

Miss  Mary  Stockman 1418  Fitzwater  Street 

James  Tadley 1422  Fitzwater  Street 

Andrew  Thompson 2734  Federal  Street 

Andrew  Thompson 2038  Carpenter  Street 

Mrs.  Maria  Thompson 2038  Carpenter  Street 

James  Thompson 1038  Ward  Street 

Mrs.  Sarah  Thompson 1038  Ward  Street 

Miss  Mary  Thompson 1919  Kater  Street 

Miss  Martha  Thompson 19 19  Kater  Street 

Mrs.  Ellen  Smith  Tinney 20th  and  Catharine  Sts 

Andrew  Tinney 20th  and  Catharine  Sts 

Henry   Tosh 1 505  Fitzwater  Street 

Mrs.  Matilda  Tosh 1 505  Fitzwater  Street 

John  Tosh 1 505  Fitzwater  Street 

Joseph  W.  Verner 181 1  Webster  Street 

Miss  Matilda  Wasson 745  South  15th  Street 

Miss  Jemima  Watson 1827  Webster  Street 

Alexander   Watters 757  Park  Street 

Mrs.  Prudence  Watters 757  Park  Street 

William  Watters 1917  Kater  Street 

Miss  Mary  Waters 1919  Kater  Street 

Miss  Mary  J.  Welsh 1834  Pemberton  Street 


30  MANUAL   OF   THE    SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,    PHILA. 


Mrs.  Lizzie  White 1418  South  i6th  Street 

Mrs.  Lizzie  Whitney 852  North  29th  Street 

James  Wilkie ;2oi2  Catharine  Street 

Mrs.  Lizzie  Wilkie 2012  Catharine  Street 

Miss  Rebecca  Wilkie 1826  Pemberton  Street 

Alexander  Wilson. 2106  Fitzwater  Street 

Mrs.  Jane  Wilson . .' 2106  Fitzwater  Street 

Alexander  Wilson,  Jr 2106  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Mary  Wilson 2106  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Annie  Wilson 2106  Fitzwater  Street 

William   D,  Wilson 2106  Fitzwater  Street 

Miss  Jennie  Wilson 2106  Fitzwater  Street 

Mrs.  Martha  A.  Wilson 1635  Burton  Street 

William  J.  Wilson 2243  League  Street 

Mrs.  Isabella  Wilson 2243  League  Street 

John  Woods 713  South  19th  Street 

Mrs.  Jane  G.  Woods 713  South  19th  Street 

James  G.  Woods 713  South  19th  Street 

Miss  Ray  T.  Woods 713  South  19th  Street 

Miss  Annie  Woods 713  South  19th  Street 

John  Woods,  Jr 713  South  19th  Street 

Matthew  Woods 2122  Kater  Street 

Mrs.  Lizzie  Woods 2122  Kater  Street 

Mrs.  EUza  Young 1734  Afton  Street 

Miss  Annie  Young 1734  Afton  Street 


SummaFy  of  JdembeFship. 

Pastor  and  Elders,       ------...  7 

Deacons, 4 

Trustees, o 

Communicants, ,55 

Communicants  on  the  "  Reserve  Roll,"       -        -        -        -        .  jyr 

Baptized  Members,  (probable  number) 350 

Other  Adherents  of  the  Church  (probably  number),          -        .  150 

1061 

Deduct  for  names  inserted  twice,           ....  21 

Total  number, 1040 


THE   FINANCIAL   SYSTEM.  3I 


^he   l^inanijial   Sij^tem. 


It  is  impossible  to  carry  forward  the  work  of  the  Church  without 
money,  and  it  is  expected  that  all  Christians  will  give  of  their  means 
for  rehgious  uses,  and  thus  "  honor  the  Lord  with  their  substance." 
Every  member  and  adherent  of  our  Church  should  remember  that  the 
blessing  of  God  upon  ourselves  and  our  Church,  is  intimately  connected 
with  our  Christian  giving.  Every  one  of  us  should  feel  it  a  privilege  to 
give  to  the  Church  "as  God  hath  prospered  him."  Some  fail  to  give 
because  they  cannot  afford  to  contribute  as  large  sums  as  others.  God 
measures  our  responsibility  by  what  we  have,  not  by  what  others  do, 
and  our  mites  will  be  acceptable  if  the  spirit  that  offers  them  is  right, 
and  the  conscience  that  directs  them  is  clean.  System  is  necessary  to 
success  in  any  department  of  action.  Business  cannot  be  carried  on 
without  system,  domestic  comfort  is  impossible  without  system,  and 
Christ's  work  will  not  prosper  through  lack  of  system.  This  applies  to 
the  Church  in  all  its  departments,  not  merely  its  spiritual  condition,  but 
also  its  temporal  affairs,  and  especially  its  finances.  The  financial 
system  of  our  Church  is  simple  and  easy  for  all.  It  is  best  for  the 
individual  and  best  for  the  Church  as  a  whole.  It  retains  all  the 
advantages  of  the  pew  rent  system,  and  it  gives  every  one  the  opportunity 
to  contribute  according  to  God's  own  method,  for  the  support  of  the 
Church.  It  is  hoped  that  every  member  of  the  congregation,  rich  and 
poor,  old  and  young,  will  give  our  financial  plan  prayerful  considera- 
tion, and  contribute  according  to  his  or  her  ability,  so  that  every  one  of 
us  may  give  something  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  Giving  of  our  sub- 
stance for  the  service  of  God,  is  an  act  of  worship,  and  every 
member  should  unite  in  it.  The  financial  plan  of  this  Church  is  as 
follows : 

I.  Pew  Rents. — The  pews  have  fixed  valuations,  ranging  from  four- 
teen to  thirty  dollars  per  annum,  according  to  location.  Persons  not 
wishing  whole  pews  will  be  accommodated  with  either  half-pews  or  sit- 
tings. All  regular  attendants  of  the  Church  are  expected  to  rent  pews, 
half-pews,  or  sittings,  in  order  that  the  general  expenses  may  be  shared 
by  the  whole  congregation.  All  of  the  pews,  whether  rented  or  not,  are 
free  for  the  use  of  strangers  who  may  come  to  worship  with  us.  Pew 
rents  are  payable  quarterly,  and  are  collected  on  the  first  and  third 
Monday  evenings  of  April,  July,  October,  and  January.  The  Treasurer 
and  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  meet  for  this  purpose  in  the 
Lecture  Room,  at  7;^  o'clock.  The  Pew  Committee  meets  at  the  same 
time  and  place.  Applications  for  pews  and  sittings  may  be  made  at 
any  of  these  meetings,  or  at  any  time,  personally  or  by  mail,  to  any  of 


32  MANUAL   ON   THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,   PHILA. 


the  following  members  of  the  Committee:  John  Woods,  713  South  19th 
Street;  John  Patterson,  1937  Pemberton  Street;  Samuel  Sproul,  N.  E. 
Cor.  22d  and  Ellsworth  Streets. 

II.  Weekly  Free-Will  Offerings. — This  system,  recently  intro- 
duced in  this  Church,  gives  all  an  opportunity  to  follow  the  Bible  Rule, 
and  obey  the  Apostolic  direction :  "  Upon  the  first  day  of  the  week  let 
every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God  hath  prospered  him." 
This  system  is  based  upon  the  voluntary  promise  of  the  givers.  An 
opportunity  is  given  to  every  one  connected  with  the  congregation,  to 
state  how  much  they  would  be  willing  to  contribute  weekly,  as  a  free- 
will offering  to  the  Lord,  with  the  distinct  understanding  that  all  such 
contributions  will  be  applied  to  the  support  of  our  own  Church.  These 
promised  amounts  can  be  increased  or  decreased  at  the  will  of  the 
giver,  by  notifying  those  having  the  matter  in  charge.  Envelopes  with 
the  names  of  those  thus  promising  printed  on  them,  are  furnished  to 
every  contributor.  Every  Sabbath,  at  the  morning  or  evening  service, 
an  envelope  containing  the  weekly  offering  should  be  placed  in  the 
basket;  and  in  the  case  of  absence  it  should  be  sent  through  the 
kindness  of  a  friend,  or  carried  over  to  the  next  Sabbath,  and  deposited 
along  with  the  amount  for  that  day.  A  correct  record  of  each  separate 
contribution  from  each  individual  is  kept  in  the  Treasurer's  Book,  prop- 
erly prepared  for  the  purpose.  Persons  who  may  be  unwilling  to 
promise  any  definite  amount  weekly,  but  who  are  willing  to  give,  are 
urged  to  make  their  contributions  in  envelopes.  Envelopes  with  their 
names  printed  on  them  will  be  furnished  all  such  persons,  and  a  record 
of  their  contributions  kept.  It  is  important  that  every  one  should  join 
in  this  Scriptural  method  of  giving  for  the  support  of  the  Church. 
Among  the  advantages  of  this  system  of  weekly  free-will  offerings  on 
the  envelope  plan,  properly  worked,  the  following  are  very  evident : 

1.  It  is  based  upon  the  Bible  rule,  the  Apostolic  method  of  finance. 

2.  It  elevates  giving  to  its  proper  place  as  a  part  of  divine  worship. 
This  laying  by  in  store  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  as  mentioned  by 
the  Apostle,  ought  to  be  regarded  as  an  act  of  worship,  as  well  as  the 
prayer  and  the  praise  of  the  Sanctuary.  As  each  member  of  the  family 
is  expected  to  unite  in  the  public  worship  on  the  Sabbath,  and  as  some 
by  reason  of  youth  are  not  able  to  join  intelligently  in  the  devotional 
parts  of  the  exercise,  they  may,  nevertheless,  perform  a  part  in  the 
worship  of  God  by  their  contributions. 

3.  It  trains  the  members  of  the  congregation  into  habits  of  systematic 
giving.  It  is  by  educating  the  members  of  our  Church,  both  the  old 
and  the  young,  into  this  habit  of  giving  systematically,  that  our  success 
in  the  future  is  assured.  The  steady,  regular,  and  systematic  receipt  of 
these  small  offerings  each  Sabbath  is  worth  far  more  to  the  Church  in 


THE  FINANCIAL  SYSTEM.  33 


every  way  than  spasmodic  contributions  of  larger  amounts  by  persons 
who  give  or  do  not  give  just  as  the  impulse  moves  them. 

4.  It  is  well  suited  to  reach  every  member.  It  reaches  many  who 
otherwise  fail  to  give  anything  to  the  support  of  the  Church.  The 
poorest  member  can  do  his  or  her  share  as  well  as  the  wealthiest,  and 
feel  that  all  are  helpers  of  Christ's  work,  each  "  as  God  hath  prospered 
him."  Each  gives  in  the  easiest  way — day  by  day,  little  by  little  ;  and 
thus  it  secures  the  small  gifts,  keeping  open  the  rills  which  enlarge  the 
stream  of  Christian  giving.  It  has  the  correct  principle  of  small  gifts 
from  many  givers,  at  regular  and  frequent  intervals. 

5.  It  increases  the  revenue  of  the  Church.  It  produces  an  income 
which  may  be  rehed  upon,  and  enables  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  engage 
in  the  temporal  work  without  the  fear  of  a  deficiency  at  the  close  of 
every  year.  If  each  of  the  366  actual  communicants  of  our  Church 
gave,  on  an  average,  25  cents  a  week,  in  a  year  it  would  amount  to 
$4,758.00.  If  one-half  of  our  communicants  gave,  on  an  average,  25 
cents  each  per  week,  and  the  other  half  only  10  cents,  in  a  year  it  would 
amount  to  $3,330.60.  If  each  communicant  gave,  on  an  average,  14 
cents  a  week,  which  is  only  two  cents  a  day,  in  a  year  it  would  amount 
to  $2,664.48. 

III.  Other  Contributions. — Collections  are  taken  up  at  all  the 
regular  preaching  services  of  the  Church.  The  contributions  on  the 
fourth  Sabbath  of  each  month  are  appropriated  to  the  Poor  Fund  and 
the  Boards  of  the  Church  ;  the  contributions  on  the  second  Sabbath  of 
each  month  are  devoted  to  the  Sinking  Fund ;  the  contributions  on  the 
first  Sabbath  evening  of  each  month  are  given  to  the  Sabbath  School ; 
and  all  other  contributions  are  apphed  to  the  current  expenses  of  our 
Church.  All  of  these  contributions  are  in  addition  to  the  Weekly  Free- 
Will  Offerings,  and  are  to  be  deposited  in  the  basket  along  with  the 
envelopes.  The  contributions  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  each  month  are 
appropriated  in  accordance  with  the  following  schedule : 

January,        -        -        -  Foreign  Missions. 

February,  -        -        -  Freedmen. 

March,  -        -        -  Poor  Fund, 

April,        ....  Aid  for  Colleges  and  Academies. 

May,      ....  Pubhcation. 

June,         ....  Poor  Fund. 

July,      ....  Church  Erection. 

August,     -        .        -        .  Ministerial  Relief. 

September,    ...  Poor  Fund. 

October,    ....  Education. 

November,     ...  Home  Missions  and  Sustentation. 

December,        ...  Poor  Fund. 


34  MANUAL   ON  THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,   PHILA. 


Beneuolen!  j5geii(jie|. 


The  different  Boards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  are  the  agencies 
through  which  our  Evangehstic  Work  is  prosecuted.  The  Boards  of  our 
Church  are  as  follows : 

I.  Home  Missions. — This  Board  directs  the  efforts  of  our  Church  to 
diffuse  the  Gospel  throughout  our  own  country,  in  sustaining  missionaries 
where  they  cannot  be  supported  by  the  people.  Its  principal  field 
includes  the  States  and  Territories  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  Alaska. 
"  The  Sustentation  Department"  of  this  Board  is  to  aid  our  feeble 
Churches  towards  self-support. 

II.  Foreign  Missions. — This  Board  is  charged  with  the  general 
direction  of  the  efforts  of  our  Church  to  spread  the  Gospel  in  foreign 
countries,  by  sending  and  sustaining  missionaries  in  these  countries. 
Our  Church  has  mission  fields  in  the  following  countries:  i.  Asia. — 
India  (3  missions),  China  (3  missions),  Persia  (2  missions),  Siam  and 
Laos  (2  missions),  Syria,  Japan.  2.  Africa. — Liberia,  Gaboon,  etc. 
3.  Europe. — Italy,  France,  etc.,  (Papal  countries).  4.  South  America. 
— Brazil,  Chili,  U.  S.  of  Colombia.  5.  North  America. — Mexico  (2 
missions),  Guatemala,  United  States  (among  the  Chinese  and  among 
eleven  tribes  of  Indians). 

III.  Education. — This  Board  has  thegeneral  superintendence  of  the 
work  of  our  Church  in  furnishing  a  pious,  educated,  and  efficient 
ministry.  It  aids  candidates  for  the  ministry  who  need  pecuniary 
assistance  in  their  collegiate  and  theological  studies.  About  two-thirds 
of  our  candidates  for  the  ministry  are  thus  aided. 


BENEVOLENT   AGENCIES. 


35 


IV.  Publication. — This  Board  has  the  general  oversight  of  our 
Church  Literature,  including  the  publication  of  standard  works,  tracts, 
library  books,  lesson  papers,  etc.,  principally  for  our  Sabbath  Schools. 
Contributions  made  to  this  Board  are  not  used  for  its  business,  but  go 
exclusively  to  its  Missionary  Departtnent,  which  has  charge  of  our 
Church  work  in  sustaining  colporteurs,  chiefly  west  of  the  Mississippi,  in 
organizing  through  them  new  Sabbath  Schools  in  destitute  places,  and 
strengthening  existing  ones,  and  in  making  grants  of  the  Board's  publica- 
tions, etc. 

V.  Church  Erection. — This  Board  has  charge  of  the  Fund  by 
which  feeble  congregations  are  assisted  in  the  erection  of  Church 
buildings.  The  work  of  this  Board  goes  hand  in  hand  with  that  of 
Home  Missions. 

VI.  Ministerial  Relief. — This  Board  has  charge  of  the  Fund  for 
the  aid  of  ministers  disabled  by  age  or  disease,  and  the  widows  and 
orphans  of  deceased  ministers.  It  also  has  charge  of  the  Presbyterian 
Ministers'  House,  at  Perth  Amboy,  N.  J. 

VII.  Freedmen. — This  Board  has  the  general  superintendence  of 
the  work  of  our  Church  among  the  Freedmen  of  the  South,  in  supplying 
them  with  ministers  and  teachers,  and  in  endowing  institutions  by  which 
they  may  be  furnished  with  well-trained  preachers  and  teachers  of  their 
own  race. 

VIII.  Aid  for  Colleges  and  Academies. — This  Board  has  in 
charge  the  interests  of  higher  education  as  connected  with  our  Church. 
Contributions  made  to  this  Board  are  devoted  either  to  the  current 
expenses  of  struggling  colleges  and  academies,  or  to  their  permanent 
endowment.     Its  principal  field  is  in  the  West. 


36  MANUAL   OF   THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,   PHILA. 


pre^byferian  polity. 

I.    fhe  GhuFEh. 

[Form  of  Government,  Book  I.,  Chapter  2.] 

I.  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  now  exalted  far  above  all  principality  and 
power,  hath  erected  in  this  world,  a  kingdom,  which  is  his  Church. 

II.  The  Universal  Church  consists  of  all  those  persons,  in  every 
nation,  together  with  their  children,  who  make  profession  of  the  holy 
religion  of  Christ,  and  of  submission  to  his  laws. 

III.  As  this  immense  multitude  cannot  meet  together  in  one  place,  to 
hold  communion,  or  to  worship  God,  it  is  reasonable,  and  warranted  by 
Scripture  example,  that  they  should  be  divided  into  many  particular 
Churches. 

IV.  A  particular  Church  consists  of  a  number  of  professing  Christians, 
with  their  offspring,  voluntarily  associated  together,  for  divine  worship 
and  godly  living,  agreeably  to  the  Holy  Scriptures  ;  and  submitting  to  a 
certain  form  of  government. 

II.     ^he  pFCsbytcFian  ChuFeh. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  is  so  called  because  it  is  governed  by 
Presbyters.  These  officers  are  elected  by  the  people,  and  they  are 
invested  with  the  watch  and  care  and  government  of  the  Church. 
Presbyters  are  of  two  classes:  i.  Ruling  E/ders,  those  who  rule.  2. 
Ministers,  those  who  both  rule  and  teach.  Deacons  constitute  another 
class  of  officers  in  the  Church,  according  to  our  system.  They  are 
chosen  like  Elders,  with  similar  requirements,  and  have  charge  of  the 
poor  and  the  benevolent  funds  for  their  use.  Presbyters  exercise  their 
office  through  the  following  judicatories  : 


PRESBYTERIAN  POLITY.  37 


I.  The  Session. — "  The  Church  Session  consists  of  the  pastor,  or 
pastors,  and  ruling  elders,  of  a  particular  congregation." 

Duties — To  receive  into  the  Church  those  whom  upon  examination  it 
finds  to  give  credible  evidence  of  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  to 
inquire  into  the  Christian  conduct  of  the  members  of  the  Church ;  to 
admonish  or  rebuke,  to  suspend  or  expel,  those  who  are  found  to 
deserve  the  censure  of  the  Church  ;  and  to  take  loving  and  watchful 
heed  "  to  all  the  flock  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  them 
overseers." 

II.  The  Presbytery. — "A  Presbytery  consists  of  all  the  ministers, 
in  number  not  less  than  five,  and  one  ruling  elder  from  each  congrega- 
tion, within  a  certain  district." 

Duties — To  review  and  control  all  the  Church  sessions  within  its 
bounds  ;  to  see  that  pastors  are  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties ; 
to  examine  and  license  and  ordain  candidates  for  the  ministry  ;  to  install, 
remove,  and  discipline  ministers;  "and  in  general  to  order  whatever 
pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Churches  under  their  care." 

The  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  is  the  Presbytery  which  organized  the 
Southwestern  Presbyterian  Church  and  with  which  it  is  now  connected. 
It  is  the  oldest  Presbytery  in  America,  and  includes  all  the  Presbyterian 
Churches  in  Philadelphia  "  south  of  the  centre  of  Market  Street,  and 
between  the  Delaware  River  and  the  western  line  of  the  city."  The 
other  Presbyterian  Churches  in  Philadelphia  are  connected  with  the 
Presbyteries  of  Philadelphia  Central  and  Philadelphia  North.  One- 
fifth  of  the  entire  population  of  Philadelphia  is  Presbyterian,  and  one  to 
every  twenty  of  the  population  is  a  Presbyterian  communicant.  Pres- 
byterians are  the  strongest  religious  denomination  in  the  city  and  Phil- 
adelphia is  the  largest  Presbyterian  city  in  the  United  States,  and 
probably  in  the  world.  The  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  has  61  ministers, 
31  churches,  138  elders,  64  deacons,  about  12,000  communicants  and 
14,000  Sabbath  School  scholars.  Its  stated  meetings  are  held  in  the 
Assembly  Room  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication,  1334  Chest- 
nut Street,  at  3  P.  M.,  on  the  first  Monday  of  each  month,  except  July 
and  August.  Rev.  Arthur  T.  Pierson,  D.D.,  is  Moderator,  and  Rev. 
Willard  M.  Rice,  D.D.,is  Stated  Clerk. 

III.  The  Synod. — "A  Synod  consists  of  all  the  ministers,  in  number 
not  less  than  seven,  and  one  ruling  elder  from  each  congregation  (unless 
the  Synod  decides  to  become  a  delegated  body),  within  a  certain 
district,  including  at  least  three  Presbyteries." 

Duties — To  review  the  records  of  the  Presbyteries ;  to  consider 
appeals  from  the  Presbyteries ;  and  to  promote  the  benevolent  and 
missionary  work  of  the  Church. 


38  MANUAL   OF   THE   SOUTHWESTERN    PRESB.    CHURCH,   PHILA. 


The  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  is  composed  of  all  the  Presbyteries  in  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Presbytery  of  West  Virginia,  and  the  foreign 
missionary  Presbyteries  of  Western  Africa  and  Zacatecas.  It  has  24 
Presbyteries,  850  ministers,  950  Churches,  3800  elders,  800  deacons, 
136,000  communicants,  155,000  Sabbath  School  scholars.  It  meets  once 
a  year,  on  the  third  Thursday  of  October.  It  meets  as  a  representative 
body,  on  the  basis  of  one  minister  and  one  ruling  elder  for  every  sixteen 
of  the  combined  number  of  ministers  and  churches,  or  fraction  thereof, 
in  each  Presbytery  respectively.  It  met  in  1882  at  Harrisburg,  in  1883 
at  Pittsburgh,  and  in  1884  at  Philadelphia.  The  next  meeting  will  be  held 
at  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  October  15th,  1885.  Rev.  Samuel  C.  Logan,  D.D.,  of 
Scranton,  Pa.,  is  Moderator;  Rev.  Elliott  E.  Swift,  D.D.,  of  Allegheny, 
Pa.,  is  Stated  Clerk;  and  Rev.  James  Roberts,  D.D.,  of  Coatesville,  Pa., 
is  Permanent  Clerk. 

IV.  The  General  Assembly. — The  General  Assembly  consists  of 
an  equal  delegation  of  ministers  and  ruling  elders  from  each  of  the 
Presbyteries,  and  is  the  highest  judicatory  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Every  Presbytery  sends  at  least  one  minister  and  one  elder.  If  a 
Presbytery  contains  more  than  24  ministers,  it  is  entitled  to  an  additional 
representation  of  one  minister  and  one  elder.  Every  additional  24 
ministers  entitles  it  to  a  like  additional  representation. 

Duties— To  pronounce  final  judgment  upon  all  questions  of  doctrine 
and  order,  appeals  and  complaints ;  to  answer  overtures  from  Pres- 
byteries and  Synods;  to  interpret  and  declare  the  law  of  the  Church; 
to  appoint  the  several  Boards  of  Benevolence,  and  supervise  their  work  ; 
and  to  consider  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  the  Church. 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  (commonly  called  "  The  Northern  Assembly"  to 
distinguish  it  from  that  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church),  has  24 
Synods,  191  Presbyteries,  5400  ministers,  6000  churches,  625,000  com- 
municants, 700,000  Sabbath  School  scholars.  It  meets  once  a  year,  on 
the  third  Thursday  of  May.  The  last  two  meetings  were  held  at  Saratoga 
Springs,  New  York.  The  next  General  Assembly  will  meet  at  Cincin- 
.  nati,  May  i6th,  1885.  The  following  are  the  Commissioners  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  to  this  meeting :  Ministers,  Rev.  Charles  A. 
Dickey,  D.D.,  Rev.  Stephen  W.  Dana,  D.D.,  Rev.  William  P.  Breed, 
D.D.;  Elders,  William  Still,  George  Griffiths,  Hon.  E.  A.  RoUins.  The 
officers  of  the  General  Assembly  are :  Moderator,  Rev.  Geo.  P.  Hays, 
D.D.,  Denver,  Col.;  Stated  Clerk,  Rev,  Wm,  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  Prince- 
ton, N.  J.;  Permanent  Clerk,  Rev.  Wm.  E.  Moore,  D.D.,  Columbus, 
Ohio. 

V.  The  Presbyterian  Alliance. — The  Presbyterian  Alhance 
(sometimes  called  the  "  Pan  Presbyterian  Council")  is  "  The  Alliance  of 


PRESBYTERIAN  POLITY.  39 


the  Reformed  Churches  throughout  the  World  holding  the  Presbyterian 
System."  It  meets  in  General  Council,  ordinarily,  once  in  three  years. 
It  consists  of  delegates,  ministers  and  elders,  from  the  Churches  forming 
the  Alliance,  on  the  following  basis  :  Each  Church  of  100  congregations, 
or  less,  sends  two ;  from  100  to  200,  four ;  and  so  on  up  to  looo ;  above 
1000  the  additional  delegates  are  only  two  for  200 ;  above  3000,  two  for 
500;  at  4000,  or  more,  the  total  not  to  be  above  forty. 

Duties — To  consider  questions  of  general  interest  to  the  Presbyterian 
community  ;  to  seek  the  welfare  of  Churches ;  to  gather  and  disseminate 
information  concerning  the  Kingdom  of  Christ  throughout  the  world  ;  to 
commend  the  Presbyterian  system  as  Scriptural,  and  as  combining  sim- 
plicity, efficiency,  and  adaption  to  all  times  and  conditions ;  to  entertain 
all  subjects  directly  connected  with  the  work  of  Evangelization ;  to 
confer  upon  matters  of  common  interest,  and  to  further  the  ends  for 
which  the  Church  has  been  constituted  by  her  Divine  Lord  and  only 
King. 

The  General  Councils  of  the  Presyterian  Alliance  have  been  held  as 
follows:  The  First  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  in  July,  1877;  the  Second 
in  Philadelphia,  in  September,  1880  ;  the  Third  in  Belfast,  Ireland,  in 
June,  1884.  The  Fourth  Council  will  be  held  in  London,  in  1888.  The 
Presbyterian  Alliance  represents  not  less  than  21,500  ministers,  100,000 
elders,  25,000  Churches,  seven  million  communicants,  and  two  million 
Sabbath  School  members. 

III.    SummaFy  of  JresbyteFian  DoctFine. 

The  doctrines  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  are  contained  in  the  "Con- 
fession OF  Faith,"  and  also  in  the  Larger  and  Shorter  Catechism.  It 
is  required  of  all  ministers  and  elders  that  they  receive  and  adopt  the 
Confession  of  Faith,  "  as  containing  the  system  of  doctrine  taught  in 
the  Scriptures."  Church  members  are  only  required  that  they  give 
credible  evidence  of  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This  faith  includes 
penitence  for  sin  and  obedience  to  the  commandments.  The  following 
is  an  outline  of  the  doctrines  set  forth  in  the  Confession  of  Faith  : 

I.  One  God — infinite,  eternal,  and  unchangeable,  in  his  being, 
wisdom,  power,  holiness,  justice,  goodness,  and  truth,  subsisting  in  mys- 
terious and  eternal  Trinity, — Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

II.  One  Word — the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament,  all 
given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  our  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and 
practice. 

III.  One  Condemnation — there  being  no  difference,  for  all  have 
sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God,  because  the  carnal  mind  is 
enmity  against  God, 


40  MANUAL   OF   THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.    CHURCH,    PHILA. 

IV.  One  Saviour— the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  God  manifest  in  the  flesh, 
the  power  unto  salvation  from  sin  and  endless  death,  by  atoning  expia- 
tory sacrifice  through  faith. 

V.  One  Atonement  for  Sin — made  by  Jesus  Christ  in  his  obedience 
unto  death,  sufficient  for  all,  adapted  to  all,  taking  every  legal  obstacle 
out  of  the  way  of  all,  and  on  these  grounds  to  be  offered  to  all, 

VI.  One  Spirit — God,  the  Holy  Ghost,  through  whose  sovereign 
agency  in  regeneration,  the  soul,  dead  in  sin,  is  made  alive  in  Christ, 
and  through  whose  sovereign  agency  in  sanctification,  the  soul  is 
changed  more  and  more  into  the  divine  image  from  glory  to  glory. 

VII.  One  Life — the  life  hid  with  Christ  in  God,  the  life  eternal; 
begun  when  a  sinner  believes,  and  assured  thereafter  by  the  effectual 
and  sovereign  grace  of  God ;  so  that  once  given  this  eternal  life,  no 
believer  shall  ever  perish. 

VIII.  One  Church — which  is  Christ's  body,  all  the  members  of 
which,  God  hath  from  the  beginning  chosen  to  salvation  through  sanc- 
tification of  the  Spirit  and  belief  of  the  Truth. 

IX.  Two  Sacraments — and  only  two,  as  ordained  by  Christ — Bap- 
tism  and  the  Lord's  Supper.  Baptism  being  a  sacrament  wherein  we 
have  "  sign  and  seal  of  ingrafting  into  Christ,  of  remission  of  sins  by 
his  blood,  and  regeneration  by  his  Spirit ;"  and  the  Lord's  Supper  being 
a  sacrament  wherein  "the  Lord's  death  is  showed  forth,"  and  the  worthy 
receivers  are,  by  faith,  "made  partakers  of  his  body  and  blood,  to  their 
spiritual  nourishment  and  growth  in  grace." 

X.  One  Judgment — when  the  dead,  small  and  great,  shall  stand 
before  God,  and  every  man  shall  be  judged  according  to  his  works ; 
and  the  wicked  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment,  but  the 
righteous  into  life  eternal. 


ANNUAL    REPORT   TO    PRESBYTERY.  41 


_;^nnual  ^egOFt  to  JlFe^byteFy. 


April   6th,   1885. 


The  following  is  the  Annual  Report  from  the  Southwestern  Presby- 
terian Church  to  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  from  April  ist,  1884,  to 
April  1st,  1885: 

I.  PRESENT  OFFICERS. 

Pastor,  Rev.  Irwin  P.  McCurdy.  Elders,  Samuel  Fulton,  Chas. 
Edward  Miller,  Charles  Crudden,  Hugh  Rutherford,  William  McKnight, 
James  Moore.  Deacons,  Hugh  Copeland,  Matthew  McCauley,  Charles 
Forbes,  William  Robson. 

II.  STATISTICS. 

I.  Members  added  during  the  year,  74.  A.  On  Profession,  56;  B. 
On  Certificate,  18.  2.  Present  number,  366.  3.  Members  of  Sabbath 
School  (teachers  and  pupils),  302.  4.  Contributions  for  Congregational 
purposes,  $3350.00. 

III.  ASSOCIATIONS  FOR  CHURCH  WORK,  with  facts  of  interest 

respecting  their  operations. 

1.  Public  Worship,— Preaching  services  have  been  held  twice  each 
Sabbath  during  the  year,  except  in  July  and  August  when  the  evening 
service  was  omitted.  There  has  been  a  steady,  healthy  increase  in  the 
attendance,  and  much  interest  manifested.  A  full  house  is  present  at 
every  service,  and  the  people  gladly  hear  the  Word  as  it  is  preached, 
and  join  heartily  in  the  prayer  and  praise  of  the  Sanctuary. 

2.  The  Sabbath  School.— The  attendance  at  the  Sabbath  School 
also  has  increased.     The  Superintendents,  the  officers,  and  the  teachers, 


42  MANUAL   OF    THE   SOUTHWESTERN   PRESB.   CHURCH,    PHILA. 


are  thoroughly  interested,  and  good  work  is  done  in  this  most  important 
department  of  the  Church.  More  than  half  of  the  members  of  the 
School  attend  the  preaching  services,  and  a  large  number  regularly  at- 
tend all  the  services  of  the  Church.  38  from  the  Sabbath  School  have 
been  received  into  the  Church  on  profession.  A  Children's  Service  is 
held  in  the  Church  on  the  first  Sabbath  evening  of  each  month. 

3.  Wednesday  Evening  Lecture.— This  service  has  had  a  remark- 
ably good  attendance  during  the  last  few  months.  The  Pastor  has  been 
lecturing  on  the  International  Sabbath  School  Lessons,  which  has  been 
found  to  be  attractive  to  all,  especially  the  young  people. 

4.  Congregational  Prayer  Meeting  (Friday  evening).  — This 
service  was  established  a  few  weeks  ago.  It  is  conducted  by  the  lay 
members  of  the  Church,  and  has  a  good  attendance. 

5.  The  Young  People's  Meeting.— This  service  was  established  last 
January,  and  is  held  on  Sabbath  evening,  three-quarters  of  an  hour  be- 
fore'the  preaching  service.  It  is  a  meeting  for  prayer  and  praise,  and 
is  led  by  the  young  men  of  the  Church.  There  is  an  excellent  attend- 
ance every  evening,  and  the  success  of  this  meeting  has  been  a  surprise 
to  all. 

6.  Other  Prayer  Meetings. —  The  Young  Mais  and  the  Young 
Ladies'  Prayer  Meetings  have  recently  been  established.  The  first  of 
these,  which  is  for  young  men  only,  meets  on  Sabbath  morning  at  10 
o'clock ;  and  the  other,  which  is  for  ladies  only,  meets  on  Sabbath 
afternoon  at  4  o'clock.  Twelve  young  ladies  have  united  together  to 
take  their  turn  in  leading  the  meeting.  Both  these  meetings  give  evi- 
dence of  success. 

7.  Mission  Bands. — Two  mission  bands  have  been  organized  during 
the  year : — The  Irwin  P.  McCurdy  Foreign  Mission  Band  last  Septem- 
ber, and  the  Mizpah  Young  Ladies'  Mission  Band  last  November.  The 
first; of  these  bands  has  a  membership  of  over  fifty  young  ladies  and 
gentlemen  ;  the  other  has  a  membership  of  about  twenty  young  ladies. 
Two  other  mission  bands,  for  the  younger  people  of  the  Church,  had 
been  organized  previously.  All  these  bands  have  monthly  meetings,  and 
are  prosperous. 

8.  The  White  Ribbon  Army,  Southwestern  Division.  —  This 
temperance  movement  was  organized  on  the  8th  of  last  February,  and 
has  already  a  membership  of  some  200  persons.  It  has  entered  upon  a 
defensive  warfare  against  intemperance  and  is  likely  to  do  much  good. 

9.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society This  society  was  organized  a  few 

weeks  ago,  and  it  is  securing  a  good  membership. 

IV.     MISSIONS  [if  any),  with  state  of  their  condition  and  prospect. 
(We'have  no  Missions.)- 


ANNUAL  REPORT  TO  PRESBYTERY.  43 


V.  MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS.— J?eviva/s.  Special  efforts  of  any 
kind.  Facts  indicating  prosperity,  or  the  reverse.  Wants 
which  should  be  brought  to  the  notice  of  Presbytery,  etc. 

1.  Revivals. — There  have  been  none  of  the  so-called  revivals 
during  the  year.  However,  the  Church  has  been  remarkably  blessed 
with  a  quiet  work  of  grace,  without  any  excitement,  during  the  past  few 
months,  especially  manifested  during  the  past  month. 

2.  Special  Efforts. — No  special  efforts  have  been  made  outside 
of  the  regular  services,  except  special  preaching  services  were  held 
every  evening  for  a  week  preceding  the  March  communion,  when  the 
Pastor  had  the  valuable  assistance  of  five  succcessful  Pastors  of  this 
Presbytery  and  the  Chaplain  of  the  U.  S.  Naval  Asylum. 

3.  Prosperity. — The  following  facts  will  indicate  our  prosperity  : 
(i.)  Peace  and  harmony  prevail  among  us,  which  we  regard  as  one  of 
the  brightest  harbingers  of  good,  as  one  of  the  surest  tokens  that  the 
Holy  Spirit  is  with  and  in  our  Church.  (2.)  A  large  increase  in  the 
membership,  especially  on  profession ;  during  the  past  nine  months  74 
new  members  have  been  received,  56  being  on  profession  ;  36  on  profes- 
sion were  received  at  the  March  communion.  (Only  thirty-one  of  all 
the  Churches  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  which  is  the  largest  Presbyterian  body  in  the  world, 
received  more  than  56  persons  on  profession  during  the  last  ecclesiastical 
year.)  (3.)  Nearly  all  our  members  are  thoroughly  interested  in  our 
Church,  and  many  are  earnestly  working  and  praying  for  the  Church's 
prosperity.  (4.)  Our  Church  has  a  large  number  of  excellent  young 
people,  who  are  anxious  to  work  for  the  Master,  and  the  hope  of  any 
Church  is  in  its  young  people.  (5.)  All  the  services  are  well  attended. 
(6.)  Contributions  to  all  the  Boards  of  the  Church  have  been  made. 
(7.)  At  the  end  of  our  Church  year,  the  Treasurer's  account  had  a 
balance  on  the  right  side,  after  a  large  payment  had  just  been  made  to 
liquidate  the  debt  against  the  Parsonage.  (8.)  We  have  the  sympathy 
and  prayers  of  our  late  beloved  Pastor,  the  Rev.  John  McLeod. 


